The Nanosolar story I posted in the uplink [#msg-24143920] is really quite intriguing when you think about it. Applying photovoltaics to one's roof in the manner described in the articles (and references that I've provided below from a fellow netizen) sure beats futzin' around with erector sets, and, according to the accounts I'm reading, it's less expensive, besides.
I once posted another NY Times account of this company back in March '07 ["Start-Up Fervor Shifts to Energy in Silicon Valley" #msg-23366771], the specifics of which I had forgotten about until I was prompted to search back in time during an offline discussion here with another lurker (who is welcome to post here in public when he's ready).
Coincidentally (presciently?), Ray Duray, who many here will remember as once having been active on this board and elsewhere on SI, and who still lurks here from time to time, sent me an email concerning Nanosolar about a month ago seeking my opinion on its prospects. Some of what Ray wrote to me about is posted below with his permission:
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Hi Frank,
Re: Nanosolar , a Silicon Valley startup in the solar energy field
I see that you've recently posted a NYT article on Google's renewable energy program. Here's a company and technology that seems legitimate to me, as well as being quite a compelling story. As we both know, this is a rare combination in the world of high tech flim-flam.
Nanosolar, in brief: enn.com
More news in brief:
alt-energy.info
nationmultimedia.com
Company website, a bit terse:
nanosolar.com
Company website provides the following news links: nanosolar.com
An interview with the CEO, who seems whip-smart to me: earth2tech.com
CNBC gives its usual "promotional" effort: cnbc.com
GoogleNews lists about 28 articles: news.google.com
Popular Science likes this company a lot: popsci.com
[fac: I decided to include the following dissenting snippet, also provided by Ray, for some "balance":]
--Begin snip:
Here's a dissenting opinion from a blog commenter... tinyurl.com "I saw a special on TV about Nanosolar. It claimed Nanosolar uses a “nano mixture” in the production process. I also work in the nanotech sector. I was wondering where Nanosolar plans to get this powder in bulk? where might my industry fit in? The interview here sounded good but I personally need to see more data before I buy into all these variables. It sounds good and all but I need more hard numbers and data before I really totally believe it. I Still hope it is successful because oil waste is eventually going to catch up to all of us. I would like the CEO to ANSWER some harder questions before I buy into the whole deal. I really hope they succeed but we all need to see more hard numerical data. Over generalities abound as usual. True science needs hard numbers. Plain and simple. Mr CEO can you deliver us some good math to chew on?
Joe scientist nobody said on October 1st, 2007 at 1:21 am
--End snip
Energetically, Ray
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FAC: Any thoughts on this or related technologies are appreciated.
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